Hot Check Amnesty Period Ends Today

Arrest roundups will begin unannounced immediately after

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that more than 250 individuals have taken advantage of the hot check amnesty period since its implementation on March 14, 2012. During the first 29 days of the amnesty period the County Attorney's Office has received payment of 502 hot checks worth $82,200.

Bernal also reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that the amnesty period ends today at midnight.

Individuals who take advantage of the amnesty period and pay their outstanding balances by today will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant roundup that will be conducted by investigators of the El Paso County Attorney's Office, the Sheriff's Office, and Constables from Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Additionally, they will not have to pay the extra fees related to incarceration such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.

A list with the names and addresses of more than 2,700 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 2.1 million dollars was made public on April 1, 2012 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main webpage atwww.epcounty.com. Additionally, several local media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web sites to make it easier for the public to access the information.

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:

El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503

M- F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

El Paso County Attorney's Northeast Annex Office

4641 Cohen St., Suite D

M- F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Forms of payment accepted include credit cards, money orders, cashier checks, and cash; however, those paying with cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers cannot give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at https://www.epcounty.com/hotchecks/. Some individuals may be eligible for a payment plan.